Libby vs. hoopla vs. Kanopy: Which Library App Should You Use?

By the Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team · Updated September 14, 2026

What each app actually is

Libby (by OverDrive) is the dominant library ebook and audiobook platform. Your library licenses a set number of digital copies of each title — exactly like physical books — so popular new releases often have hold queues. The upside: the catalog is enormous (most bestsellers, new releases, and backlist titles are here), and there's no monthly borrowing cap if your library doesn't set one. Libby also supports Kindle delivery for ebooks — the only major library app that does.

hoopla operates on a different model: libraries pay per borrow rather than per copy. That means no waitlists — you borrow instantly. The tradeoff is a monthly borrow limit (typically 5–10 items, set by your local library) and a catalog that skews toward indie publishers, older bestsellers, and comics/graphic novels rather than the latest blockbusters. hoopla covers ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, TV episodes, and even music albums — the widest content mix of the three.

Kanopy focuses almost exclusively on video: art-house films, documentaries, classic cinema, international titles, and The Great Courses lecture series. Most libraries use a "ticket" or "credit" system — typically 5–10 plays per month — though some libraries offer unlimited streaming. Kanopy's catalog is curated and smaller than a mainstream streaming service, but its depth in documentary and educational film is unmatched in the library world. To get started with any of these, you'll need a library card — see our guide on how to get a library card if you don't have one yet.

Side-by-side comparison

Waitlists vs. instant access: how to decide

The single biggest practical difference is the waitlist question. Libby mirrors physical library lending: a title has a fixed number of simultaneous checkouts, so when demand exceeds copies, you join a hold queue. For a popular debut novel, that wait can stretch weeks or months. For backlist classics, the wait is often zero. hoopla sidesteps this entirely — the "unlimited copies" pay-per-borrow model means you can download any available title the moment you want it. If you're an impatient reader or someone who grabs books spontaneously, hoopla's instant delivery is hard to beat. If you're a planner who reads methodically and doesn't mind scheduling, Libby's larger catalog (especially for current bestsellers) is the stronger option.

Borrow limits and how libraries set them

hoopla's monthly borrow limit is entirely controlled by your library — a library paying a lower per-borrow rate may cap patrons at 5/month, while others allow 10 or more. Kanopy's credit/play system works similarly: typically 5–10 plays per month, though some libraries (especially university libraries that offer Kanopy to the public) have moved to unlimited. Libby does not have a universal monthly cap, but your library may set a concurrent checkout limit (often 10–20 items). If you're a heavy reader who finishes a book every few days, Libby's lack of a hard monthly limit can matter. See what free digital resources your state's libraries offer to understand what's funded in your area.

Kindle support: Libby's unique advantage

If you read on a Kindle device (not just the Kindle app on a phone or tablet), Libby is your only option among these three. Libby can send ebooks directly to your Amazon Kindle via the Send to Kindle feature, so you get the genuine e-ink reading experience you're used to. hoopla and Kanopy do not support Kindle delivery — their apps work on iOS, Android, and browsers, but a dedicated Kindle reader cannot access hoopla or Kanopy content. This alone is a deciding factor for many Kindle owners.

Content type: what you want to read or watch

Match the app to your format. If you're a reader of fiction and nonfiction books, Libby's OverDrive-powered catalog is the deepest — mainstream publishers license extensively to OverDrive, so you'll find most New York Times bestsellers here (waitlists aside). If you love comics and graphic novels, hoopla has an unusually strong comics catalog including DC, Marvel, and indie imprints, which Libby largely lacks. For film and video, Kanopy is in a class of its own for documentaries, Criterion-adjacent art cinema, and educational courses — it's not a replacement for Netflix but it's a genuinely distinctive supplement. hoopla also offers movies and TV, typically older or more niche titles, and it streams in addition to ebook/audio content. For the full picture of everything your library offers digitally, explore our guide to borrowing ebooks and audiobooks free from your library.

Offline use and device compatibility

Both Libby and hoopla let you download content for offline use through their dedicated apps — essential for reading on a plane or commute without Wi-Fi. Kanopy is streaming-only; there is no offline download option, so you need a reliable internet connection to watch. For device reach: hoopla edges ahead on video devices, supporting Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, and many smart TVs directly. Libby's Kindle support (mentioned above) gives it a hardware reach no other library app matches. All three apps have iOS and Android apps and web browser access.

Which app should you actually use?

The honest answer is: use whichever ones your library subscribes to, and treat them as complementary rather than competing. A common real-world setup: place a hold in Libby on a hot new novel, then while you wait, grab something from hoopla instantly, and catch a documentary on Kanopy over the weekend. If you can only prioritize one: readers should start with Libby (biggest book catalog, Kindle support); watchers should start with Kanopy (best video depth); comics fans and impatient borrowers should start with hoopla. Find your local library to see which services are available on your card.

Frequently Asked Questions